India, US release ’declaration of friendship’, to elevate strategic partnership

 

New Delhi, 25 Jan 2015: Signalling renewed intensity in ties, India and the US on Sunday decided to further "elevate" the long-standing strategic partnership by enhancing cooperation in a raft of crucial areas including defence, trade and commerce, technology transfer, counter-terrorism and climate change.

 

Both the countries released a ’declaration of friendship’ outlining broad contours of engagements after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama held extensive talks during which they broke the 7-year-old logjam in operationalizing the civil nuclear deal.

 

The declaration title "Chalein saath saath; forward together we go" said India and the US agreed to elevate their long-standing strategic partnership and that each step being taken to strengthen the ties is a step towards shaping international security and regional and global peace.

 

US President Barack Obama reads a joint statement as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) watches at Hyderabad House in New Delhi January 25, 2015

 

Reflecting the natural affinity, the declaration proclaimed a higher level of trust and coordination that will continue to "draw our Governments and people together across the spectrum of human endeavor for a better world."

 

It said the two countries decided to hold regular Summits with increased periodicity as well as to elevate the Strategic Dialogue to a Strategic and Commercial Dialogue.

 

In a glow of bonhomie, Obama and Modi announced a breakthrough on nuclear trade on Sunday, a step that both sides hope will help establish an enduring strategic partnership

 

The strategic elements of the dialogue would continue to be chaired by India’s external affairs minister and the US Secretary of State while the Commercial components of the dialogue would be led by India’s Minister of Trade and Commerce and the US Secretary of Commerce.

 

This reflects the United States’ and India’s commitment to strengthen commercial and economic ties to advance mutual prosperity, regional economic growth and stability.

 

US President Barack Obama with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee

 

They also decided to cooperate to develop joint ventures on strategically significant projects and build meaningful security and effective counter-terrorism cooperation.

 

They also agreed to consult and hold regular consultations in multilateral forums and leverage the talents and strengths to enhance sustainable, inclusive development around the globe.